MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Another year, another Wesleyan-Trinity thriller as these two local rivals went at it again in another instant classic in Silloway. Despite overcoming a four-point deficit with 1:41 remaining, sending the game into overtime, the Wesleyan men's basketball team came up just shy in the extra session, falling to the Bantams, 79-77. Wesleyan (10-7, 2-2 NESCAC) suffers their third straight defeat while No. 5 ranked Trinity (18-0, 3-0 NESCAC) remains the only unbeaten team in the nation.
 
Despite leading for nearly 27 minutes in the game and by as many as 11 in the first half, Wesleyan saw their lead disappear in the second half as Trinity hit seven three-pointers and held the Cardinals to 29.6 percent shooting to take their first lead with 11:36 remaining.
 
The score either changed hands or was tied 17 times in the remaining 11:36 of regulation, as Wesleyan answered multiple three's from Ben Callahan-Gold and Henry Vetter, leaning on Nicky Johnson '25 down the stretch.
 
Trailing 70-66 with 1:41 remaining after another Vetter three, Johnson hit twice from the free throw line and after Fritz Hauser '26 denied Vetter with a block at the rim, Sam Pohlman '26 drove the lane and finished at the rim with 19.2 seconds left to tie the score at 70-70.
 
Trinity's final possession saw Vetter miss on his deep pull up three but the rebound came to Will Dorion who lofted a mid-range jumper as the buzzer sounded, but it bounced out and the game required overtime to determine a winner.
 
The Bantams drew first blood in the overtime, with Vetter converting a three-point play in the lane. Johnson later hit a deep pull up jumper to cut the deficit to one but again it was Vetter who made a key basket to put Trinity back up 77-74.
 
Now in the final minute, Josh Cameron '27 got his driving layup to fall and Wesleyan trailed by just one with 46 seconds remaining. Cameron then blocked Dana Smith's attempt at the rim and with a chance to take the lead, Johnson's driving layup missed and the rebound was secured by Callahan-Gold.
 
After making both his free throws, Callahan-Gold put Trinity up 79-76 with 4.9 seconds left and on the ensuing trip, Smith made a smart foul on Pohlman to force the sophomore to the free throw line to shoot two free throws with 1.4 seconds left and the Cardinals trailing by three.
 
Pohlman made the first attempt and took his time before purposefully missing the second. The miss was a good one as the ball bounced hard off the front rim out to Johnson but his last-ditch attempt didn't leave his hand in time and the buzzer sounded on a Trinity victory.
 
The loss stings for the Cardinals who played well on both sides of the ball all throughout the afternoon against the Top 5 ranked Bantams. Wesleyan shot 50 percent in the first half, 40.3 percent for the game, and 88 percent at the free throw line on 25 attempts. The Cardinals limited Trinity to just 34.7 percent shooting and 30.3 percent from three, but the Bantams kept great care of the basketball, committing just four turnovers in 45 minutes, not allowing Wesleyan to get out on the fast break.
 
Six Cardinals finished with double figure point totals including 14 from Johnson who also had seven rebounds and four assists, playing the final 14+ minutes of the game with four fouls. Jackson Cormier '26 had 13 points with nine rebounds but fouled out in the first minute of overtime. Pohlman scored 12, Hauser had 11 with eight rebounds, and Shane Regan '25 tallied 10 but fouled out late in the second half. Ben Lyttle '27 came off the bench and scored 11 points in 16 minutes.
 
Trinity was led by Callahan-Gold who put up 25 points (8-20 FG) with six rebounds and two blocks. Vetter had 16 points while Jarrel Okorougo had 10 and Smith played a key role with five points, 12 rebounds (nine offensive), and six assists with no turnovers.
 
Wesleyan continues a busy stretch of three games in five days as the Cardinals travel to New York City for a showdown against Yeshiva on Monday at 8 PM.